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Subject Area

Pediatrics

Article Type

Review

Abstract

Objectives To study the effect of sublethal concentrations (LC50) of methanol extracts from Solanum nigrum and Callistemon citrinus leaves on the infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae by an in-vivo study. Background The high cost of synthetic molluscicides and their negative impacts on the environment necessitated search for an alternative approach by using plant extracts for the control of schistosomiasis. Using molluscicides could be more effective if these agents also possess cercaricidal activity. Materials and methods Methanol extracts of S. nigrum and C. citrinus leaves were prepared and their LC50on S. mansoni cercariae were determined. The experimental mice used in this study were divided into three groups. Group I including mice infected with S. mansoni cercariae preexposed to S. nigrum. Group II included mice infected with S. mansoni cercariae preexposed to C. citirnus. Group III included mice infected with nonexposed S. mansoni cercariae (control group). The attenuating effect of the plants on cercariae was evaluated through different parameters including parasitological, histopathological, and scanning electron microscopic examinations. Results LC50of S. nigrum and C. citrinus methanol extracts were 25 and 40 mg/l, respectively. Parasitological results showed a significant reduction in worm burden, mean number of ova per gram tissue in mice of group I and group II in comparison with those of group III (control group). These results were associated with decrease in the size and number of hepatic granulomas. All these obtained results were more significant with S. nigrum than C. citrinus. Obvious tegmental damages were also detected by scanning electron microscopic in both groups (I and II). Conclusion Methanol extracts of both S. nigrum and C. citrinus leaves exhibited cercariicidal activity but S. nigrum was found to be more potent. This study provides a considerable scope in exploiting local indigenous resources for schistosomiasis control.

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